asean documents series 2009...asean documents series 2009 5 i. asean summit documents “asean and...

ASEAN DocumENtS SEriES 2009

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iES 2009 ASSociAtioN of SouthEASt ASiAN NAtioNS

ASEAN DocumENtS SEriES 2009

4 ASEAN DocumENtS SEriES 2009

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

For inquiries, contact:The ASEAN SecretariatPublic Outreach and Civil Society Division70A Jalan SisingamangarajaJakarta 12110IndonesiaPhone : (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991Fax : (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504E-mail : [email protected]

General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

Catalogue-in-Publication Data

ASEAN Documents Series 2009Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, September 2011

341.0269591. ASEAN – Documents2. Agreements – Statements3. Press Releases

ISBN 978-602-8411-34-9

The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted with proper acknowledgement.

Copyright Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2011All rights reserved

5ASEAN DocumENtS SEriES 2009

I. ASEAN SUMMIT DOCUMENTS

“ASEAN and World Food Security”: A Video Launched in Conjunction with the 14th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

Joint Media Statement of the Inaugural ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting, Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

Joint Statement of the 5th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Summit (5th BIMP-EAGA Summit), Hua Hin, Thailand, 28 February 2009

Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Roadmap for the ASEAN Community (2009-2015), Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

Joint Declaration on the Attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in ASEAN, Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint

Chairman’s Statement of the 14th ASEAN Summit “ASEAN Charter for ASEAN Peoples”, Cha-am, Thailand, 28 February-1 March 2009

Press Statement on the Global Economic and Financial Crisis, Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

Statement on Food Security in the ASEAN Region, Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

- ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region (SPA-FS) 2009-2013- Component and Strategic Thrusts of ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework- Matrix of Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region (SPA-FS) 2009-2013

Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 23 October 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 15th ASEAN Summit – “Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples”, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand,23-25 October 2009

Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation on Education to Achieve an ASEAN Caring and Sharing Community, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailad, 24 October 2009

ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 5th Session of the Conference of Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Connectivity, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand Leaders’ Statement: Entry into Force of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

Joint Statement – 6th Brunei Darussalam – Indonensia – Malaysia – Philippines East Asian Growth Area Summit(6th BIMP-EAGA Summit), Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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II. ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM)

Foreign Minister Kasit Addresses Issues Related to Myanmar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, 16 May 2009

Foreign Minister Gave Interview on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Trial, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, 21 May 2009

Joint Communiqué of the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting “Acting Together to Cope with Global Challenges”, Phuket, Thailand, 20 July 2009

ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on Myanmar, Bangkok, Thailand, 11 August 2009

Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Bombings in Indonesia, Phuket, Thailand, 18 July 2009

ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)

Joint Declaration of ASEAN Defence Ministers on Strengthening ASEAN Defence Establishments to Meet the Challenges of Non-Traditional Security Threats, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand, 26 February 2009

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC)

Joint Communiqué of the 29th ASEAN Chiefs of Police Conference, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 13-15 May 2009

Joint Statement of the 7th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC), Siem Reap, Cambodia, 17 November 2009

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

ASEAN Regional Forum Vision Statement, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

III. ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY

ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM)

Joint Media Statement of the 9th ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices Meeting (AHSOM 9), Singapore, 16 January 2009

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan 2 (2009-2015)

ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement Framework on Accountancy Services, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

- Annex - Article VII Recognition- Appendix I – List of Professional Regulatory Authorities and National Accountancy Bodies- Appendix II – Sample Mutual Recognition Agreement on Accountancy Services- Appendix III – WTO Guidelines for Mutual Recognition Agreement or Arrangements in the Accountancy Sector

ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Dental Practitioners, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Medical Practitioners, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

Protocol to Implement the Seventh Package of Commitments under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

Joint Media Statement on Signing of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA Agreement), Cha-am, Petchaburi, Thailand, 27 February 2009

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Implementing Arrangement for the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Economic Cooperation Work Programme Pursuant to Chapter 12 (Economic Cooperation) of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

Understanding on Article 1 (Reduction and/or Elimination of Customs Duties) of Chapter 2 (Trade in Goods) of the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

Joint Media Statement of the 41st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand, 13-14 August 2009

Joint Media Statement of the AEM+6 Working Lunch, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, Cha-am, Thailand, 26 February 2009

ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting (AFMM)

Joint Media Statement - Action Plan to Restore Economic and Financial Stability of the Asian Region, Phuket, Thailand, 22 February 2009

Joint Media Statement of the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting, Pattaya, Thailand, 9 April 2009

ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF)

Adopted Joint Chairs’ Summary of the ASEAN-FAO Regional Conference on Food Security, Bangkok, Thailand, 27 – 28 May 2009

Joint Press Statement of the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (31st AMAF), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 10 November 2009

Memorandum of Understanding on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 11 November 2009

ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM)

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 27th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, Mandalay, Myanmar, 29 July 2009

ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2010-2015

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST)

Joint Press Statement of the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST), Singapore, 6 November 2009

ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN)

Joint Media Statement of the 9th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (9th TELMIN) and Its Related Meetings with Dialogue Partners, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 16 October 2009

Vientiane Declaration on Promoting the Realisation of Broadband Across ASEAN, Vientiane, Lao PDR, 15 October 2009 ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM)

ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services, Manila, Philippines, 20 May 2009

ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services, Manila, Philippines, 20 May 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 15th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 10 December 2009

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Protocol to Implement the Sixth Package of Commitments on Air Transport Services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 10 December 2009

ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport, Manila, Philippines, 10 December 2009

Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM)

Joint Media Statement of the 12th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (12th M-ATM), Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 8 January 2009

ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation (AMBDC)

Joint Media Statement of the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation (AMBDC), Bangkok, Thailand, 16 August 2009

IV. ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY

ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI)

Joint Media Statement of the 10th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI), Vientiane, Lao PDR, 5 November 2009

ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED)

Joint Statement of the 4th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting, Phuket, Thailand, 5-8 April 2009

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM)

Joint Statement by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management for the Second Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland, 16-19 June 2009

Joint Press Release of the 2009 Asia Pacific Joint Regional Celebrations on the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management – Strengthening Regional Cooperation Towards Hospital Safety, Bangkok, Thailand, 14 October 2009

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME)Conference of the Parties (COP) to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

Joint Media Statement of the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, Hua Hin, Thailand, 7 September 2009

Joint Media Releases of the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment and 5th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, Singapore, 29 October 2009

Joint Media Statement of the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change, Hua Hin, Thailand, 29 November 2009

Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution

Media Release of the 7th Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution, Brunei Darussalam, 29 April 2009

Media Release of the 8th Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution, Singapore, 19 August 2009

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ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM)

Press Release of the Regional Production of Vaccines and Antiviral Drugs a Possibility in the Future, Bangkok, Thailand, 7 May 2009

ASEAN Ministers on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE)

Joint Communiqué of the 6th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 27 May 2009

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY)

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth, Bangkok, Thailand, 25 June 2009

ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW)

Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)

V. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

ASEAN Foreign Ministers+1 Meetings

ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) +1 Sessions, Phuket, Thailand, 22 July 2009

ASEAN – Australia

Memorandum of Understanding between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Government of Australia on the Second Phase of the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP II), Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

ASEAN – Canada

Co-Chairmen’s Statement of the 6th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, 18-19 June 2009

Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

ASEAN – China

Joint Media Statement of the 8th AEM-MOFCOM Consultation, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

Agreement on Investment of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People’s Republic of China, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 12th ASEAN-China Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the ASEAN-China Centre between the Governments of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Cha-Am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

Memorandum of Understanding between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Cooperation in the Field of Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

Joint Statement of the 1st ASEAN Plus People’s Republic of China Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (1st AMMTC+China), Siem Reap, Cambodia, 18 November 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 8th ASEAN and China Transport Ministers Meeting, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 11 December 2009

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Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand 21 December 2009

ASEAN – European Union

Joint Press Release of the 17th ASEAN-EC Joint Co-operation Committee (JCC) Meeting, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 6 February 2009

Joint Co-Chairmen’s Statement of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM), Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 27-28 May 2009

Phnom Penh Agenda for the Implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2009-2010), Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 28 May 2009

ASEAN Declaration of Consent to the Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the European Union and European Community, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 28 May 2009

Declaration on Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the European Union and European Community, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 28 May 2009

ASEAN – India

Joint Statement of the 7th AEM-India Consultations, Bangkok, Thailand, 13 August 2009

Protocol to Amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Republic of India, Bangkok, Thailand, 13 August 2009

Agreement on Dispute Settlement Mechanism Under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Republic of India, Bangkok, Thailand, 13 August 2009

Agreement on Trade in Goods Under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Republic of India, Bangkok, Thailand, 13 August 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 7th ASEAN-India Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

ASEAN – Japan

Chairman’s Statement of the 12th ASEAN-Japan Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Joint Media Statement of the Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers’ Inaugural Meeting, Cha-am, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 7th ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 11 December 2009

ASEAN – Republic of Korea

Protocol on the Accession of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Agreement on Trade in Goods Under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Among the Governments of the Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Republic of Korea, Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, 27 February 2009

Protocol on the Accession of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Agreement on Trade in Services Under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Among the Governments of the Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Republic of Korea, Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, 27 February 2009

Joint Statement of the ASEAN- Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, Jeju Island, ROK, 2 June 2009

Joint Press Statement of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit on the Nuclear Test Conducted by the DPRK, Jeju Island, ROK, 2 June 2009

Agreement on Investment under the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Among the Governments of the Member Countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Republic of Korea, signed in Jeju, Korea, 2 June 2009

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Joint Media Statement of the 6th AEM-ROK Consultation, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 12th ASEAN-ROK Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 1st ASEAN and Republic of Korea Transport Ministers Meeting, Ha Noi, Viet, Nam, 11 December 2009

ASEAN – Russian Federation

Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations on the Establishment of ASEAN Centre in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University), Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

ASEAN – United States

Instrument of Extension of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the United States of America, Phuket, Thailand, 23 July 2009

Joint Statement of the 1st ASEAN-US Leaders Meeting, Singapore, 15 November 2009

ASEAN Plus Three

Joint Media Statement of the 8th Meeting of ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea Tourism Ministers (M-ATM Plus Three), Viet Nam, 8 January 2009

Joint Media Statement of the Action Plan to Restore Economic and Financial Stability of the Asian Region, Phuket, Thailand, 22 February 2009

Joint Media Statement of the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Finance Ministers’ Meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 3 May 2009

Chairman’s Press Statement of the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers’ Special Meeting on Influenza A (H1N1), Bangkok, Thailand,8 May 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Special Meeting on Influenza A(H1N1), Bangkok, Thailand, 8 May 2009

Joint Press Statement on ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation in Response to the Global Economic and Financial Crisis, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 June 2009

Joint Statement of the 2nd ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Youth, Bangkok, Thailand, 26 June 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 10th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting, Phuket, Thailand, 22 July 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 6th ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Korea) Ministers on Energy Meeting, Mandalay, Myanmar, 29 July 2009

Joint Media Statement of the 12th AEM Plus Three Consultation, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 12th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation on Food Security and Bio-Energy Development, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 24 October 2009

Joint Media Statement of the 1st Conference of the ASEAN Plus Three Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI Plus Three), Vientiane, Lao PDR, 6 November 2009

Joint Press Statement of the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministers of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (9th AMAF Plus Three), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 11 November 2009

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Joint Statement of the 4th ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (4th AMMTC Plus Three), Siem Reap, Cambodia, 18 November 2009

East Asia Summit

Joint Press Statement of the East Asia Summit on the Global Economic and Financial Crisis, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 June 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Informal Consultations, Phuket, Thailand, 22 July 2009

Joint Ministerial Statement of the 3rd EAS Energy Minister Meeting, Mandalay, Myanmar, 29 July 2009

Joint Press Statement of the 4th East Asia Summit on the Revival of Nalanda University, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

Chairman’s Statement of the 4th East Asia Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

Cha-am Hua Hin Statement on East Asia Summit (EAS) Disaster Management, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009

ASEAN – United Nations

Joint United Nations-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Press Statement, New York, US, 26 September 2009

ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council

ASEAN-GCC Joint Vision, Manama, Bahrain, 30 June 2009

Joint Press Statement of the 1st GCC-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Manama, Bahrain, 30 June 2009

Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Manama, Bahrain, 30 June 2009

ASEAN – MERCOSUR

Co-chairs’ Statement of ASEAN-MERCOSUR Ministerial Meeting, New York, US, 25 September 2009

ASEAN – CER (Australia and New Zealand)

Joint Media Statement of the 14th AEM-CER Consultations, Bangkok, Thailand, 15 August 2009

Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)

Chair’s Statement of the 9th ASEM Foreign Minister’s Meeting, Ha-Noi, Viet Nam, 25-26 May 2009

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“ASEAN and World Food Security”: A Video Launched in Conjunction with

the 14th ASEAN Summit

Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

A video on “ASEAN and World Food Security” was launched today during the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand, to raise the importance of food security in the ASEAN region and at the global level, as well as to call for greater cooperation and support to address food security issues.

“ASEAN and World Food Security” provides an array of perspectives and the way forward in addressing the issue of food security globally. This video also discusses food security in the ASEAN context and how ASEAN will respond to short- and long-term challenges posed by food security. To ensure long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers in the ASEAN region, ASEAN Leaders at the 14th ASEAN Summit are expected to embrace food security as a matter of permanent and high priority policy, and review ASEAN’s commitment to achieving the objectives of the World Food Security and the Millennium Development Goals. “Food security for ASEAN and the world in the midst of the global financial crisis and the impact of climate change cannot be over-emphasised. The launch of the video today is timely to enhance ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to address food security in the wake of these challenges,” Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, said.

At this Summit, the ASEAN Leaders will consider the adoption of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Food Security in order to pursue this important endeavour.

Dr Surin launched the video with Mr Yoshio Yamane, Advisor of ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese-based food supply chain. The launch was witnessed by Thailand’s Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Teera Wongsamut. The video was produced by the ASEAN Secretariat in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation.

“Collaboration and partnership between the public and private sectors is considered important in tackling food crisis. The private sector can contribute in a number of ways including development of agricultural productivity, improvement of food supply chain system as well as technology for food production at times of emergency needs,” added Mr Yoshio Yamane, the co-producing partner of this video production.

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Joint Media Statement of the Inaugural ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

Council Meeting

Cha-am, Thailand, 27 February 2009

1. The Inaugural Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council was held on 27 February 2009 in Hua Hin, Thailand. H.E. Korbsak Sabhavasu, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Economic Affairs of Thailand, chaired the Meeting.

ASEAN Charter

2. The Council discussed the status of implementation of the ASEAN Charter and institutional structure of AEC. The Council deliberated on its role and functions, which include identifying cross cutting issues that require collective consideration to deliver AEC priorities; and ensuring the effective implementation of and compliance with the relevant decisions of the ASEAN Summit. The Council also welcomed developments in the ASEAN Political Security Community Council, the ASEAN Social Cultural Community Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Council.

ASEAN Economic Community Scorecard 3. The Council underscored the significance of the AEC Scorecard

as a monitoring tool which would enable ASEAN to capture information and produce an assessment of the current situation of AEC implementation towards meeting AEC goals. The Council discussed and agreed to submit the first AEC Scorecard and its Executive Summary to ASEAN Leaders at the 14th ASEAN Summit and looked forward to subsequent enhancements to the AEC Scorecard. In this regard, the Council called on all sectoral bodies under the AEC to work together in ensuring the compliance to the commitments under the AEC Blueprint and other relevant ASEAN economic agreements through the continuous improvement of the AEC Scorecard. The Council also requested all sectoral bodies to develop their respective detailed sectoral work plan towards achieving the goals of AEC by 2015.

ASEAN Economic Community Communications Plan

4. In conjunction with the AEC Awareness Year 2008 designated by ASEAN Leaders, the Council welcomed the development of an AEC Communications Plan by ASEAN Economic Ministers to enhance awareness of stakeholders on AEC initiatives, elicit their feedback and garner support from them. The Council also took note of the report of ASEAN Economic Ministers on national and regional communications activities for AEC Awareness Year 2008 which will be submitted to ASEAN Leaders at the 14th ASEAN Summit.

5. The Council was of the view that communications activities are

essential to keep the ASEAN identity, vision and activities visible on a regular basis and emphasised the need to intensify communications activities at the national and regional level beyond the AEC Awareness

I. ASEAN SUMMIT


Year 2008. The Council also underscored the importance of involving various stakeholders in the communications process, namely, the ASEAN sectoral bodies and institutions; the private sector; the national and local authorities in ASEAN Member States; the academia and civil society.

Global Economic Situation

6. The Council deliberated on the challenges posed by the global economic situation and recognised that slower growth in the world economies could lead to calls for protectionist measures which would only exacerbate the current economic situation. In this regard, the Council noted that despite the crisis, ASEAN remains on track and committed to implementing the AEC Blueprint because free flow of goods, services and investment are key to recovery. Therefore, the Inaugural Meeting of the AEC Council is timely to ensure that ASEAN will maintain the momentum of Community building.

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Joint Statement of the 5th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-

Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Summit (5th BIMP-EAGA Summit)

Hua Hin, Thailand, 28 February 2009

1. We, the Leaders of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines had a productive 5th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand on 28 February 2009. We discussed current developments and future directions of BIMP-EAGA cooperation and recognized that the challenges of narrowing the development gap and reducing poverty in the subregion remain formidable, particularly in light of the global economic slowdown. We reaffirmed our commitment to the goal of transforming BIMP-EAGA into a dynamic growth area within the ASEAN and agreed to deepen cooperation among the Member Countries and strengthen our collective actions to more effectively deal with the issues and challenges facing BIMP-EAGA development.

2. We were very pleased with the results of the mid-term review of the BIMP-EAGA Roadmap to Development (2006–2010). We acknowledged the steady progress in the implementation of priority roadmap projects and took note of the gains achieved particularly in transport connectivity, tourism development, and trade facilitation as well as the ongoing initiatives to formulate agreements to facilitate the transport of goods across borders in the subregion. To further enhance transport connectivity, we directed our Ministers, local governments and private sector to expand Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) facilities in BIMP-EAGA. We agreed to further enhance cooperation in these areas to ensure that BIMP-EAGA continues to be relevant and competitive in realizing the roadmap goals to increase trade, tourism and investments by 2010. In this regard, we tasked our Ministers and Senior Officials to take concrete and expeditious actions to resolve bottlenecks in project implementation and to follow-through with our commitments to support the accelerated implementation of priority projects.

3. We recognized the potential of BIMP-EAGA as a food basket for ASEAN and the rest of Asia given its natural resources and endowments. To harness this potential, we agreed to strengthen our cooperation and collaborate more closely in the area of agriculture and fisheries development. We underscored the important role of the agriculture sector in alleviating poverty particularly in the rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of livelihood. In this regard, we called on our Agriculture Ministers to take the lead in formulating strategies and exploring innovative ways to enhance the competitiveness of the BIMP-EAGA agriculture sector and in facilitating the establishment of subregional production networks and value chains in selected priority crops and commodities. We also encouraged our local governments and private sector to establish a joint fisheries consortium in EAGA.

4. We noted the growing partnership between the local governments

and the private sector in exploring more creative and bolder measures to accelerate the integration of the subregion’s economies and build the BIMP-EAGA economic community. We welcomed the adoption of community-based ecotourism development as a strategy further intensifying partnerships among the local governments and local communities and a means to addressing rural poverty. We urged our Tourism Ministers to invigorate its support for ecotourism development in the subregion and strengthen its promotions and marketing efforts to establish BIMP-EAGA as leading ecotourism destination in Southeast Asia.

5. We renewed our commitment to establishing a business-

friendly policy and regulatory environment in BIMP-EAGA. We urged the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) to expedite the implementation of their expanded consultative platform and emphasized the need to promote a more inclusive and broader private sector representation and participation in development activities. We encouraged our Ministers to have strategic dialogues with the private sector to identify the policy and regulatory reforms needed to hasten the implementation of priority projects as well as to continue supporting the initiatives of the private sector to expand business-to-business linkages and networking particularly in the agriculture and tourism sectors.

6. We recognized the role of the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center (BIMP-EAGA FC) in coordinating BIMP-EAGA-wide activities including monitoring the implementation of the BIMP-EAGA Roadmap programs and projects. We acknowledged that the process towards legalizing the BIMP-EAGA FC is now at its final stage and we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen the BIMP-EAGA FC. We directed our Ministers to promptly conclude the legalization process in order for the BIMP-EAGA FC to fulfill its role as a full-fledged sub-regional facilitation centre and central secretariat beginning 2009.

7. We looked forward to the signing of the Framework of Economic Cooperation with China and noted Japan’s increasing involvement and ongoing support to cooperation development in BIMP-EAGA. We therefore welcome Japan’s recent policy initiatives for economic growth and development in Asia in particular the promotion of sub-region wide development like BIMP-EAGA. We also noted the support given by the Northern Territory of Australia to private sector development initiatives in the subregion. We therefore recognized the benefits of expanding our collaboration with other strategic partners and tasked our Senior Officials to take the lead in exploring these partnerships.


8. We expressed our appreciation to our Regional Development Advisor, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for its wide ranging support among others, in the development of transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and institutional strengthening. We also thanked the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for its technical assistance in the strengthening of BIMP-EAGA institutions and development of transport sector as well as promoting sub-regional value chains for priority industries. We urged ADB and GTZ to help in ensuring that BIMP-EAGA achieves its goals of poverty reduction and narrowing of the development gap. We also emphasized the need for both ADB and GTZ to strengthen its support to private sector development including the financing of private sector projects.

9. We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Governments of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Thailand for the excellent arrangements and the warm hospitality given for conduct of the Fifth BIMP-EAGA Summit.

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Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Roadmap for the ASEAN Community

(2009-2015)

Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

WE, the Heads of State or Government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (hereinafter referred to as “ASEAN”), namely Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the occasion of the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand;

RECALLING the spirit in which the ASEAN Founding Fathers gathered in Bangkok in 1967 to create an organisation that would help bring about a Southeast Asian region of peace, freedom and prosperity for their peoples;

RECALLING ALSO the ASEAN Vision 2020, which charts a future direction for ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward-looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in a just, democratic, and harmonious environment, dynamic development and ever-closer economic integration and in a community of caring societies, conscious of its ties of history, aware of its shared cultural heritage and bound by a common regional identity;

RECOGNISING the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II), which seeks to bring the ASEAN Vision 2020 into reality by setting the goal of building an ASEAN Community by 2020 comprising three pillars, namely political-security community, economic community and socio-cultural community, all of which are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region;

INSPIRED by the spirit of a new ASEAN, as symbolised by the ASEAN Charter, we reaffirm our commitment to accelerating the establishment

of the ASEAN Community, comprising the aforementioned three pillars, by 5 years to 2015, as agreed in Cebu, the Philippines in 2007; EMPHASISING that narrowing the development gap shall remain an important task to ensure the benefits of ASEAN integration are fully realized through effective implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN lntegration (IAl) and other sub-regional frameworks;

NOTING with satisfaction the progress made so far under the series of action plans or programmes adopted to guide progress towards the realisation of the ASEAN Vision 2020, for example, the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA), the Initiative for ASEAN lntegration (IAl) and the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP);

COGNISANT that the rapidly changing globalised world continues to present both opportunities and challenges to which ASEAN must proactively utilize and respond, keeping itself always relevant, while maintaining ASEAN’s centrality and role as the primary driving force in charting the evolving regional architecture; and

RECALLING the signing of the Declaration on the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and the adoption of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint at the 13th ASEAN Summit on 20 November 2007 in Singapore and the adoption of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint, and the Second IAl Work Plan at the 14th ASEAN Summit on 1 March 2009 in Thailand.

DO HEREBY:

1. AGREE that the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint and the IAl Work Plan 2 (2009-2015), as annexed, shall constitute the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015), and each ASEAN Member State shall ensure its timely implementation;

2. ALSO AGREE that the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) shall replace the Vientiane Action Programme;

3. TASK the concerned ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and the Secretary-General of ASEAN to implement this Declaration as well as monitor commitments supported by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, and report to us regularly through the respective ASEAN Community Councils on the progress of its implementation;

4. ALSO TASK concerned Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN to mobilise resources from Member States, Dialogue and Sectoral Partners, Development Partners of ASEAN as well as from other external parties to implement this Declaration; and

5. PLEDGE our resolve and commitment to promote ASEAN peoples to participate in and benefit fully from the process of ASEAN integration and community building.

DONE at Cha-am, Thailand, this First Day of March in the Year Two Thousand and Nine, in a single original copy, in the English Language.

For Brunei Darussalam:HAJl HASSANAL BOLKIAHSultan of Brunei Darussalam


For the Kingdom of Cambodia:SAMDECH HUN SENPrime Minister

For the Republic of Indonesia:DR. SUSlLO BAMBANG YUDHOYONOPresident For the Lao People’s Democratic Republic:BOUASONE BOUPHAVANHPrime Minister

For Malaysia:DATO’ SERl ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWlPrime Minister

For the Union of Myanmar:GENERAL THElN SElNPrime Minister

For the Republic of the Philippines:GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYOPresident

For the Republic of Singapore:LEE HSlEN LOONGPrime Minister

For the Kingdom of Thailand:ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA Prime Minister

For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:NGUYEN TAN DUNGPrime Minister

__________________________

Joint Declaration on the Attainment of Millenium Development Goals

in ASEAN

Cha-am, Thailand, 1 March 2009

WE, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam;

RECALLING the Bali Concord II establishing an ASEAN Community based on three pillars, namely ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community within 2020 and the decision of the ASEAN Leaders at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines to accelerate the realization of an ASEAN Community from 2020 to 2015;

GUIDED by the ASEAN Charter which aims to ensure sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations and to place the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples at the centre of the ASEAN Community building process;

REAFFIRMING that a stable, secure and prosperous ASEAN Community can be realized when our peoples are free from hunger and provided with primary education as well as adequate health care;

ACKNOWLEDGING the different levels of social and economic development among ASEAN Member States and the need to narrow the development gap within ASEAN;

NOTING that overall ASEAN Member States have made good progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) particularly in primary education, gender equality as well as combating some infectious diseases and in some ASEAN Member States additional goals and targets have been added specific to their own particular circumstances;

CONCERNED that there are still significant challenges that need to be overcome for some ASEAN Member States to fully achieve the MDGs and thereby narrow the development gap in ASEAN;

NOTING the efforts undertaken at the regional level to address the challenges faced by ASEAN Member States in achieving the MDGs and narrowing the development gap particularly through the implementation of the Framework Plan of Action on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, the projects/programmes on poverty and quality of life in the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAl) Work Plan, the Joint Statement of the Third ASEAN Education Ministers’ Meeting, the Work Plan for primary education, gender equality as well as combating some infectious diseases for Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality (2005-2010) and the Work Plan to operationalise the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (2006-2010), the ASEAN Work programme on HIV/AIDS and the measures on health development and sustainable development in the Vientiane Action Programme as well as the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Sustainability; and

RECOGNISING the contribution of sub-regional cooperation frameworks, namely Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), and CLMV Sub-regional Cooperation in narrowing the development gap among ASEAN Member States and building an ASEAN Community.

DO HEREBY ADOPT AND PROCLAIM THAT WE WILL:

1. Make ASEAN a more dynamic, gender responsive, resilient and cohesive regional organization for the well-being of its Member States and people;

2. Ensure a continuous effort towards a balance between economic growth and social development and environmental sustainability in order to reduce and not to create negative impacts to the attainment of the MDGs;

3. Further enhance coordination and cooperation within the IAl and sub-regional cooperation frameworks in order to narrow the development gap in ASEAN in particular through the


establishment of a consultative mechanism between ASEAN and the sub-regional frameworks;

4. Continue to promote public awareness in ASEAN Member States on the attainment of MDGs and enhance public participation;

5. Share information, experiences and best practices in the attainment of the MDGs among ASEAN Member States through the relevant ASEAN bodies as well as through the ASEAN Centre of Excellence on MDGs set up in the Asian Institute of Technology and other regional institutions;

6. Develop and implement a Roadmap for the Attainment of the Millennium Development Goals as a framework for collective actions among ASEAN Member States to achieve the MDGs focusing on five key areas namely advocacy and linkages; knowledge; resources; expertise; and regional cooperation and regional public goods;

7. Establish a monitoring and evaluation system, including generation of gender statistics for the attainment of MDGs in ASEAN in collaboration with the UN specialized bodies; and

8. Encourage the close collaboration and create networks among the public and private sectors and civil society in addressing challenges and developing strategies on the MDGs.

ADOPTED at Cha-am, Thailand, this First Day of March in the Year Two Thousand and Nine, in a single original copy in the English Language

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ASEAN Political-Security CommunityBlueprint

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The ASEAN Political-Security Community has its genesis of over four decades of close co-operation and solidarity. The ASEAN Heads of States/Governments, at their Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 1997 envisioned a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.

2. To concretise the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in 2003, which establishes an ASEAN Community by 2020. The ASEAN Community consists of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

3. Conscious that the strengthening of ASEAN integration through accelerated establishment of an ASEAN Community will reinforce ASEAN’s centrality and role as the driving force in charting the evolving regional architecture, the ASEAN Leaders at the 12th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines decided to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

4. At the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments signed the ASEAN Charter, which marked ASEAN Member States’ commitment in intensifying community-building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration. In line with this, they tasked their Ministers and officials to draft the APSC Blueprint, which would be adopted at the 14th ASEAN Summit.

5. The APSC Blueprint is guided by the ASEAN Charter and the principles and purposes contained therein. The APSC Blueprint builds on the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP), as well as relevant decisions by various ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. The ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action is a principled document, laying out the activities needed to realise the objectives of the ASEAN Political Security Community, while the VAP lays out the measures necessary for 2004-2010. Both documents are important references in continuing political and security cooperation. The APSC Blueprint provides a roadmap and timetable to establish the APSC by 2015. The APSC Blueprint would also have the flexibility to continue programmes/activities beyond 2015 in order to retain its significance and have an enduring quality.

II. CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS OF THE APSC

6. It is envisaged that the APSC will bring ASEAN’s political and security cooperation to a higher plane. The APSC will ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment.

7. The APSC shall promote political development in adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter. It shall be a means by which ASEAN Member States can pursue closer interaction and cooperation to forge shared norms and create common mechanisms to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives in the political and security fields. In this regard, it promotes a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society, regardless of gender, race, religion, language, or social and cultural background, are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building. In the implementation of, the Blueprint, ASEAN should also strive towards promoting and supporting gender-mainstreaming, tolerance, respect for diversity, equality and mutual understanding.

8. At the same time, in the interest of preserving and enhancing peace and stability in the region, the APSC seeks to strengthen the mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners and friends. In doing so, it also maintains the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN in a regional architecture that is open, transparent and inclusive, while remaining actively engaged, forward-looking and non-discriminatory.

9. The APSC subscribes to a comprehensive approach to security, which acknowledges the interwoven relationships of political, economic, social-cultural and environmental dimensions of development. It promotes renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law and reliance of peaceful settlements of dispute. In this regard, it upholds existing ASEAN political


instruments such as the Declaration on Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in South East Asia (TAC) and the Treaty on the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), which play a pivotal role in the area of confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy and pacific approaches to conflict resolution. It also seeks to address non-traditional security issues.

10. Based on the above, the ASEAN Political-Security Community envisages the following three key characteristics:

a) A Rules-based Community of shared values and norms;

b) A Cohesive, Peaceful, Stable and Resilient Region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security; and

c) A Dynamic and Outward-looking Region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world.

11. These characteristics are inter-related and mutually reinforcing, and shall be pursued in a balanced and consistent manner. To effectively realise the APSC, the APSC Blueprint is an action-oriented document with a view to achieving results and recognises the capacity and capability of ASEAN Member States to undertake the stipulated actions in the Blueprint.

A. A RULES-BASED COMMUNITY OF SHARED VALUES AND NORMS

12. ASEAN’s cooperation in political development aims to strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of the Member States of ASEAN, so as to ultimately create a Rules-based Community of shared values and norms. In the shaping and sharing of norms, ASEAN aims to achieve a standard of common adherence to norms of good conduct among member states of the ASEAN Community; consolidating and strengthening ASEAN’s solidarity, cohesiveness and harmony; and contributing to the building of a peaceful, democratic, tolerant, participatory and transparent community in Southeast Asia.

13. Moreover, cooperation in political development will bring to maturity the political elements and institutions in ASEAN, towards which the sense of inter-state solidarity on political systems, culture and history will be better fostered. Such inter-state solidarity can be achieved further through the shaping and sharing of norms.

A.1. Cooperation in Political Development

14. Since the adoption of the ASC Plan of Action in 2003, ASEAN has achieved progress in different measures of political development. There was increased participation by organisations, such as academic institutions, think-tanks, and civil society organisations in ASEAN meetings and activities. Such consultations and heightened interactions fostered good relations and resulted in positive outcomes for the region.

15. Efforts are underway in laying the groundwork for an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information based on each country’s national laws and regulations; preventing and combating corruption; and cooperation to strengthen the rule of law, judiciary systems and legal infrastructure, and good governance. Moreover, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental

freedoms, the ASEAN Charter stipulates the establishment of an ASEAN human rights body.

A.1.1. Promote understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States

Actionsi. Assign appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies to take necessary

measures to promote understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States, which will undertake to:

a. Encourage the holding of at least two track-two events per year, including academic conferences, workshops and seminars;

b. Release periodic publications on the dynamics of ASEAN Member States’ political systems, culture and history for dissemination to the public; and

c. Intensify exchange of experience and training courses in order to enhance popular and broader participation.

ii. Hold seminars/workshops to share experiences on democratic institutions, gender mainstreaming, and popular participation; and

iii. Endeavour to compile best practices of voluntary electoral observations.

A.1.2. Lay the groundwork for an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information for mutual support and assistance among ASEAN Member States

Actionsi. Encourage the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information

(AMRI) to develop an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information, based on each country’s national laws, by establishing an information baseline of these laws and to submit a progress report to the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council;

ii. Request each ASEAN Member State to develop relevant media exchange programmes to aid free flow of information, starting within three months from the adoption of this Blueprint;

iii. Enhance media capacity to promote regional-community building, explore the possibility of establishing an ASEAN media panel to boost cooperation and collaboration among the media-related institutions and organizations with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint;

iv. Implement internships, fellowships, scholarships and workshops, study visits and journalist exchange programs to enhance media capacity and professionalism in the region with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint; and

v. Facilitate co-production and exchanges of films, TVs, animations, games and new media content to promote cultural exchanges with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint.


A.1.3. Establish programmes for mutual support and assistance among ASEAN Member States in the development of strategies for strengthening the rule of law and judiciary systems and legal infrastructure

Actionsi. Entrust ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM), with the

cooperation of other sectoral bodies and entities associated with ASEAN including ASEAN Law Association (ALA) to develop cooperation programmes to strengthen the rule of law, judicial systems and legal infrastructure;

ii. Undertake comparative studies for lawmakers on the promulgation of laws and regulations;

iii. Develop a university curriculum on the legal systems of ASEAN Member States by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) by 2010; and

iv. Enhance cooperation between ALAWMM and ALA and other Track II organisations through seminars, workshops and research on international law, including ASEAN agreements.

A.1.4. Promote good governance

i. Conduct analytical and technical studies to establish baselines, benchmarks, and best practices in various aspects of governance in the region;

ii. Promote sharing of experiences and best practices through workshops and seminars on leadership concepts and principles with emphasis on good governance, and on developing norms on good governance;

iii. Conduct a study by 2009 on partnership between public and private sectors and academia in creating a conducive climate for good governance to provide concrete recommendations to appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies; and

iv. Promote dialogue and partnership among governments, private sectors and other relevant organisations to foster and enable new ideas, concepts and methods with a view to enhance transparency, accountability, participatory and effective governance.

A.1.5. Promotion and Protection of human rights

Actionsi. Establish an ASEAN human rights body through the

completion of its Terms of Reference (ToR) by 2009 and encourage cooperation between it and existing human rights mechanisms, as well as with other relevant international organizations;

ii. Complete a stock-take of existing human rights mechanisms and equivalent bodies, including sectoral bodies promoting the rights of women and children by 2009;

iii. Cooperate closely with efforts of the sectoral bodies in the development of an ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers;

iv. Strengthen interaction between the network of existing human rights mechanisms as well as other civil society organisations, with relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies;

v. Enhance/conduct exchange of information in the field of human rights among ASEAN countries in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action;

vi. Promote education and public awareness on human rights; and

vii. Cooperate closely with efforts of the sectoral bodies in the establishment of an ASEAN commission on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children.

A.1.6. Increase the participation of relevant entities associated with ASEAN in moving forward ASEAN political development initiatives

Actionsi. Develop modalities for interaction between relevant entities

associated with ASEAN, such as the ASEAN-ISIS network, and ASEAN sectoral bodies;

ii. Promote research studies and scholarly publications on ASEAN political development initiatives;

iii. Hold consultations between AIPA and appropriate ASEAN organs; and

iv. Revise the Memorandum of Understanding of the ASEAN Foundation to take into account the provisions of the ASEAN Charter.

A.1.7. Prevent and combat corruption

Actionsi. Identify relevant mechanisms to carry out cooperation activities

in preventing and combating corruption and strengthen links and cooperation between the relevant agencies;

ii. Encourage all ASEAN Member States to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation for Preventing and Combating Corruption signed on 15 December 2004;

iii. Promote ASEAN cooperation to prevent and combat corruption, bearing in mind the above MoU, and other relevant ASEAN instruments such as the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLAT);

iv. Encourage ASEAN Member States who are signatories to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to ratify the said Convention; and

v. Promote the sharing of best practices, exchange views and analyse issues related to values, ethics and integrity through appropriate avenues and fora and taking into account inputs from various seminars such as the ASEAN Integrity Dialogue.

A.1.8. Promote Principles of Democracy

Actionsi. Promote understanding of the principles of democracy among

ASEAN youth at schools at an appropriate stage of education, bearing in mind the educational system in the respective ASEAN Member States;

ii. Convene seminars, training programmes and other capacity building activities for government officials, think-tanks and relevant civil society organizations to exchange views, sharing experiences and promote democracy and democratic institutions; and

iii. Conduct annual research on experiences and lessons-learned of democracy aimed at enhancing the adherence to the principles of democracy.

A.1.9. Promote peace and stability in the region

Actionsi. Support the inclusion of culture of peace which includes,

inter alia, respect for diversity, promotion of tolerance and understanding of faiths, religions and cultures in the curriculum of ASEAN academic institutions;


ii. Develop programmes and activities aimed at the promotion of culture of peace, interfaith and intrafaith dialogue within the region;

iii. Promote respect and appreciation for the region’s diversity and harmony among the peoples of the region;

iv. Promote dialogue and greater interaction among various religious and ethnic groups;

v. Promote networking among schools in the region to develop peace-education in their respective curricula; and

vi. Support poverty alleviation and narrowing development gaps to contribute to promoting sustained peace and stability in the region.

A.2. Shaping and Sharing of Norms

16. ASEAN promotes regional norms of good conduct and solidarity, in accordance with the key principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. In this context, ASEAN also continues to uphold the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the SEANWFZ Treaty and other key agreements, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea.

A.2.1. Adjust ASEAN institutional framework to comply with the ASEAN Charter

Actionsi. Prepare and implement a transitional work plan on the

necessary institutional reforms needed to comply with the ASEAN Charter;

ii. Develop, as appropriate, supplemental protocols and/or agreements, including terms of references and rules of procedures, needed to implement the ASEAN Charter; and

iii. Develop a legal division to support the implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

A.2.2. Strengthening Cooperation under the TAC

Actionsi. Convene workshops and seminars to assess the progress of

the implementation of the TAC and explore ways to improve its mechanisms;

ii. Convene a conference of High Contracting Parties to the TAC to review its implementation; and

iii. Encourage the accession to the TAC by non-ASEAN countries.

A.2.3. Ensure full implementation of the DOC for peace and stability in the South China Sea

Actionsi. Continue ASEAN’s current practice of close consultation

among Member States to achieve full implementation of the DOC;

ii. Explore and undertake cooperative activities identified in the DOC and eventually explore other co-operative measures on the basis of close consultation among the member countries, while respecting sovereignty and integrity of each other;

iii. Carry out on a regular basis the overview of the process of implementation of the DOC, thus ensuring timely and proper conducts of the Parties in the South China Sea in accordance with the DOC; and

iv. Work towards the adoption of a regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

A.2.4. Ensure the implementation of South East Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, and its Plan of Action

Actionsi. Comply with the undertakings in the SEANFWZ Treaty,

including accession to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreements and related instruments;

ii. Encourage Accession to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty by Nuclear Weapon States; and

iii. Cooperate to implement the Plan of Action and draw up specific work programmes/projects to implement the Plan of Action.

A.2.5. Promote ASEAN Maritime Cooperation

Actionsi. Establish the ASEAN Maritime Forum;ii. Apply a comprehensive approach that focuses on safety of

navigation and security concern in the region that are of common concerns to the ASEAN Community;

iii. Stock take maritime issues and identify maritime cooperation among ASEAN member countries; and

iv. Promote cooperation in maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) through activities such as information sharing, technological cooperation and exchange of visits of authorities concerned.

B. A COHESIVE, PEACEFUL AND RESILIENT REGION WITH SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY

17. In building a cohesive, peaceful and resilient Political Security Community, ASEAN subscribes to the principle of comprehensive security, which goes beyond the requirements of traditional security but also takes into account non-traditional aspects vital to regional and national resilience, such as the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions of development. ASEAN is also committed to conflict prevention/confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy, and post-conflict peace building.

B.1. Conflict Prevention/Confidence Building Measures

18. Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy are important instruments in conflict prevention. They mitigate tensions and prevent disputes from arising between or among ASEAN Member States, as well as between ASEAN Member States and non-ASEAN member countries. They will also help prevent the escalation of existing disputes.

19. In the area of defence and regional political consultations, ASEAN Defence Officials have been involved in the ASEAN security dialogue since 1996. Under the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN has made voluntary briefings on political and security developments in the region and regularized meetings of high-level defence officials under the ARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue (DOD) and the ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC). ASEAN has also established an annual ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meetings.


B.1.1. Strengthen confidence-building measures

Actionsi. Organise regional exchanges among ASEAN Defense and

military officials, at all levels, including among military academies, staff colleges and defence universities in the ASEAN Member States;

ii. Promote the exchange of observers of military exercises, commensurate with the capability and condition of each ASEAN Member State;

iii. Share information among ASEAN Member States on submissions to the UN Register of Conventional Arms;

iv. Promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation between defence officials and exchange visits between military training institutions to promote trust and mutual understanding; and

v. Conduct joint research projects on defence issues between government-affiliated policy and strategic research institutes in the region.

B.1.2. Promote greater transparency and understanding of defence policies and security perceptions

Actionsi. Work towards developing and publishing an annual ASEAN

Security Outlook;ii. Hold voluntary briefings on political and security developments

in the region;iii. Develop an ASEAN early warning system based on existing

mechanisms to prevent occurrence/escalation of conflicts; and

iv. Hold consultations and cooperation on regional defence and security matters between ASEAN and external parties and Dialogue Partners including through the ADMM Plus when it is operationalised.

B.1.3. Build up the necessary institutional framework to strengthen the ARF process in support of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)

Actionsi. Follow-up on the recommendations of the Review of the

ARF;ii. Implement the enhanced role of the ARF Chair, and activate

the Friends of the ARF Chair mechanism as and when needed;

iii. Implement the decision of the ARF Ministers to move the ARF towards the preventive diplomacy stage (PD);

iv. Expand the capacity of the ARF Heads of Defense Universities, Colleges and Institutions Meeting (ARF HDUCIM) to exchange best practices in defense policies and academic development;

v. Compile best practices on confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy and conflict resolutions for further development by ARF; and

viii. Enhance the role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN in the ARF including further strengthening the ARF Unit in the ASEAN Secretariat.

B.1.4. Strengthen efforts in maintaining respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of ASEAN Member States as stipulated in the Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations

Actionsi. Compile best practices and relevant international law to

promote understanding and appreciation of best practices concerning friendly relations and cooperation among Member States of the United Nations;

ii. Convene consultation as well as a series of tract-two activities to strengthen cooperation in addressing threats and challenges that may affect the territorial integrity of ASEAN Member States including those posed by separatism; and

iii. Further promote and increase awareness on these issues to help accelerate the pace of ASEAN Community building and elevate ASEAN’s profile in the world.

B.1.5. Promote the development of norms that enhance ASEAN defence and security cooperation

Action:i. Initiate preparatory work for the development of practical

cooperation programmes among the militaries of ASEAN Member States.

B.2. CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

20. Convinced that the settlement of differences or disputes should be regulated by rational, effective and sufficiently flexible procedures, avoiding negative attitudes, which might endanger or hinder cooperation, ASEAN promotes the TAC, which seeks to preserve regional peace and harmony and prescribes that Member States refrain from threat or use of force.

21. The TAC gives provision for pacific settlement of disputes at all times through friendly negotiations and for refraining from the threat or use of force to settle disputes. The strategies for conflict resolution shall be an integral part of a comprehensive approach. The purpose of these strategies shall be to prevent disputes and conflicts from arising between ASEAN Member States that could potentially pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

22. ASEAN, the United Nations and other organisations have held a number of cooperation activities in the effort to promote peace and stability. More efforts are needed in strengthening the existing modes of pacific settlement of disputes to avoid or settle future disputes; and undertaking conflict management and conflict resolution research studies. Under the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN may also establish appropriate dispute settlement mechanisms.

B.2.1. Build upon existing modes of pacific settlement of disputes and consider strengthening them with additional mechanisms as needed

Actionsi. Study and analyse existing dispute settlement modes and/

or additional mechanisms with a view to enhancing regional mechanisms for the pacific settlement of disputes;

ii. Develop ASEAN modalities for good offices, conciliation and mediation; and


iii. Establish appropriate dispute settlement mechanism, including arbitration as provided for by the ASEAN Charter.

B.2.2. Strengthen research activities on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution

Actionsi. Consider the establishment of an ASEAN Institute for Peace

and Reconciliation;ii. Compile ASEAN’s experiences and best practices on peace,

conflict management and conflict resolution;iii. Identify priority research topics, with a view to providing

recommendations on promoting peace, conflict management and conflict resolution;

iv. Enhance existing cooperation among ASEAN think tanks to study peace, conflict management and conflict resolution;

v. Hold workshops on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution with relevant regional and international organisations, including the UN;

vi. Undertake studies to promote gender mainstreaming in peace building, peace process and conflict resolution; and

vii. Develop a pool of experts from ASEAN Member States as resource persons to assist in conflict management and conflict resolution activities.

B.2.3. Promote regional cooperation to maintain peace and stability

Actionsi. Carry out technical cooperation with the UN and relevant

regional organisations to exchange expertise and experiences in maintaining peace and stability;

ii. Identify national focal points, with a view to promoting regional cooperation in maintaining peace and stability; and

iii. Establish a network among existing ASEAN Member States’ peace keeping centres to conduct joint planning, training, and sharing of experiences, with a view to establishing an ASEAN arrangement for the maintenance of peace and stability, in accordance with the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) 3-Year Work Programme.

B.3. Post-Conflict Peace-building

23. ASEAN’s efforts in post-conflict peace building shall complement other comprehensive approaches to: (a) ensure the complete discontinuity of conflicts and violence and/or man-made disasters in affected areas; (b) facilitate the return of peace and/or normalisation of life as early as possible; and (c) lay the ground for reconciliation and all other necessary measures to secure peace and stability, thus preventing the affected areas from falling again to conflicts in the future.

24. Measures can be pursued in promoting humanitarian relief activities, including intensifying cooperation with the United Nations and other organisations, as well as capacity building for people in affected areas.

B.3.1. Strengthen ASEAN humanitarian assistanceActionsi. Provide basic services or assistance to bring relief to victims

of conflict in consultation with the receiving State;ii. Promote cooperation for orderly repatriation of refugees/

displaced persons and resettlement of internally displaced persons;

iii. Promote the safety of the humanitarian relief assistance workers;iv. Develop common operating procedures for the provision of

humanitarian assistance in the event of conflict;v. Intensify cooperation with the United Nations and promote the

role and contributions of relevant international organisations on humanitarian assistance;

vi. Promote civil-military dialogue and coordination in humanitarian assistance; and

vii. Expand the role and contribution of women in field-based humanitarian operations.

B.3.2. Implement human resources development and capacity building programmes in post-conflict areas

Actionsi. Draw up guidelines for training and capacity-building needs

assessment;ii. Identify priority training topics;iii. Design training programmes in the identified priority topics

and development of training materials;iv. Implement annual programmes in each target area;v. Develop cooperation programmes with relevant external

parties and financial institutions to promote Human Resources Development and capacity building in post-conflict reconstruction and peace building; and

vi. Work towards the development of a systematic training programme for formal and community educators in the field of peace education and reconciliation, which can be conceptualised and implemented.

B.3.3. Increase cooperation in reconciliation and further strengthen peace-oriented values

Actionsi. Undertake studies to increase cooperation in reconciliation

and further strengthen peace-oriented values;ii. Promote public participation in the development of cooperation

in post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation including the encouragement of comprehensive input of academia, media, non-governmental organisations, civil society and community groups; and

iii. Promote inter-communal understanding through exchange activities.

B.4. Non-Traditional Security Issues

25. A key purpose of ASEAN is to respond effectively and in a timely manner, in accordance with the principles of comprehensive security, to all forms of threats, transnational crimes and transboundary challenges.

B.4.1. Strengthen cooperation in addressing non-traditional security issues, particularly in combating transnational crimes and other transboundary challenges

Actionsi. Implement effectively eight priority areas in the Work

Programme to Implement the Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime;

ii. Endeavour to ratify the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters among ASEAN Member States and work towards elevating it to an ASEAN treaty;

iii. Continue the work of the working group, as mandated by the


ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting, to enhance cooperation on the issue of extradition;

iv. Further strengthen criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons, bearing in mind the need to protect victims of trafficking in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons Particularly Women and Children, and where applicable, other relevant international conventions and protocols on trafficking in persons;

v. Enhance cooperation to combat people-smuggling;vi. Work towards a drug-free ASEAN by 2015, in accordance with

the ASEAN Work Plan for Combating Illicit Drug-Trafficking, by: strengthening measures to prevent the illicit production of drugs, import and export of controlled chemical precursors as well as regional cooperation in controlled delivery; and enhancing cross-border law enforcement cooperation through information sharing, best practices, and capacity building, in combating drug-trafficking;

vii. Develop multilateral or bilateral legal arrangements towards combating drug and precursor chemical trafficking starting in 2008;

viii. Provide assistance to ASEAN Member States in enhancing scientific laboratory capacity in precursor identification and drugs signature analysis for drug enforcement operation and intelligence;

ix. Provide transfer of knowledge concerning the profile of drug crime syndicate groups as well as watch-list of their drug activities;

x. Provide transfer of knowledge on best practices on the disposal of precursors and essential chemicals seized from clandestine laboratories;

xi. Strengthen the capacity of the criminal justice system including judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials on drug control;

xii. Enhance cooperation with relevant external parties in combating transnational crimes, including countering terrorism;

xiii. Enhance cooperation and coordination among existing ASEAN sectoral bodies in dealing with transnational crimes;

xiv. Strengthen close cooperation among ASEAN Member States, to combat IUU fishing in the region and where applicable, through the implementation of the IPOA - IUU fishing and work towards the establishment of ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum (AFCF);

xv. Promote full implementation by relevant sectoral bodies, to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, in accordance with the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (UN PoA) and the International Instrument to enable States to Identify and Trace, in Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (International Tracing Instrument);

xvi. Strengthen cooperation and assistance in combating and suppressing cyber crimes including cooperation among law enforcement agencies, taking into account the need of each country to develop laws to address cyber crimes;

xvii. Forge closer cooperation in fighting against sea piracy, armed robbery against ships, hijacking and smuggling, in accordance with international laws; and

xviii.Strengthen cooperation in the field of border management to jointly address matters of common concern, including forgeries of identification and travel documents, by enhancing the use of relevant technologies to effectively stem the flow of terrorists and criminals.

B.4.2. Intensify counter-terrorism efforts by early ratification and full implementation of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism

Actionsi. Work towards the entry into force of the ASEAN Convention on

Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) by 2009 its ratification by all ASEAN Member States, and promote effective implementation of the Convention;

ii. Endeavour to accede and ratify the relevant international instruments on counter terrorism;

iii. Promote effective implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism; and

iv. Cooperate to support development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism and conditions conducive to terrorism.

B.5. Strengthen ASEAN Cooperation on Disaster Management and Emergency Response

Actions:i. Enhance joint effective and early response at the political

and operational levels in activating the ASEAN disaster management arrangements to assist affected countries in the event of major disasters;

ii. Enhance civilian-military coordination in providing effective and timely response to major natural disasters;

iii. Finalise the SOP for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations for establishing joint operations in providing relief aid to disaster affected areas of Member States in line with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER);

iv. Work towards effective interface on disaster management between ASEAN and other ASEAN-related bodies such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit (EAS) in a manner that will enhance ASEAN’s disaster management capacities; and

v. Develop ARF strategic guidelines for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation.

B.6. Effective and timely response to urgent issues or crisis situations affecting ASEAN

Action:i. Convene special meetings at the Leaders’ or Ministerial

levels in the event of crisis or emergency situations affecting ASEAN; and develop arrangements to address such situations in a timely manner.

C. A DYNAMIC AND OUTWARD-LOOKING REGION IN AN INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED AND INTERDEPENDENT WORLD

26. ASEAN fosters and maintains friendly and mutually beneficial relations with external parties to ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. ASEAN remains outward-looking and plays a pivotal role in the regional and international fora to advance ASEAN’s common interests.

27. Through its external relations, ASEAN will exercise and maintain its centrality and proactive role as the primary driving force in an open, transparent and inclusive regional architecture to support the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.


C.1. Strengthening ASEAN Centrality in Regional Cooperation and Community Building

Actions:i. Initiate, host, Chair and/or Co-Chair activities and meetings

with Dialogue Partners, other external parties, and within the context of ASEAN Plus Three, EAS and ARF;

ii. Explore, initiate and implement concrete cooperation activities on actions as stipulated in various agreed documents including the APSC Blueprint under the existing regional frameworks;

iii. Advance the ARF towards Preventive Diplomacy in a phased and prudent manner while continuing with Confidence Building Measures; while also engaging other regional and international organisations and Track II organisations in the process; and

iv. Enhance coordination in ASEAN’s external relation and regional and multilateral fora.

C.2. Promoting Enhanced Ties with External Parties

Actions:i. Promote activities to raise awareness of ASEAN and enhance

ASEAN’s interests, including the establishment of